They are saying that good issues come to those that wait. And it appears within the case of the Kansas Metropolis (KC) space getting a much-needed unified MCI airport terminal, it lastly got here! Plans for a single terminal to appropriately accommodate passengers have been within the works for the reason that Nineteen Nineties. However right here within the Present-Me state, of us are reluctant to just accept change with out clear advantages. To be trustworthy, many people are simply cussed. Alas, this isn’t a narrative concerning the previous. Neither is it a narrative concerning the residents of a single metropolis within the two-state KC metro space controlling an financial powerhouse and inflicting a long time of delays in what ought to have been a routine replace. No. This can be a celebration lap. For me, for my continuously flying associates, and sure, even those that someway suppose the prevailing scheme is “handy.” (I’ll see YOU within the feedback!)
I’ve been a brand new terminal-evangelist for the reason that late 2000s. Actually ~15 years of labor has lastly paid off. No, I don’t work for any governments and I don’t work for the airport. Heck, I didn’t even get to forged a vote of help when the brand new terminal subject graced a KC, Missouri poll throughout a low voter turnout cycle. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless a victory, and I’ll take it.
Tomorrow the doorways of the brand new terminal formally open to the general public. And for a second time I’ll stroll its halls. Solely this time it is going to be to board and fly the inaugural departing flight. Regardless of NOT securing early entry like some others in our house, I used to be lucky to be chosen for a preparedness simulation a full two-weeks earlier than opening day. The gist was easy – be certain that the whole lot is as much as snuff, permit for a public preview, and even throw some native AvGeeks a bone. It was actually an incredible day.
Let’s speak about parking…
You in all probability didn’t come right here to learn concerning the new parking storage. However that’s the place the expertise begins, and that is the primary main enchancment over the prevailing two-terminal design. Presently, it’s hit-or-miss on whether or not you would possibly be capable to discover an open house within the busy B-Terminal parking storage. Even when there are open spots, good luck winding round looking for them. And in the event you do handle to discover a spot, don’t hope to cost your electrical automobile. There isn’t a charging within the current garages.
However the brand new parking storage? It is available in at seven tales with over 6,000 spots. And every house has an indicator mild above it. Pink is occupied, inexperienced is free. This was a enjoyable contact and set the tone for the remainder of our expertise. It’s clear that the airport was designed by individuals who care about passenger expertise and sought to include issues that work, whereas avoiding errors of different airports. However I’m getting forward of myself once more.
On the fourth ground of the brand new parking storage there are round 50 J-1772 electrical automobile charging ports with devoted parking. For this two plug-in family that’s an actual perk.
Every day of parking is available in at $25 which is a mere $2 premium over the prevailing garages. Is that this a superb worth? We’ll allow you to determine. However when touring on the Company card (or rewards) we expect the value is correct.
The check-in space:
The check-in space is big. And it was genuinely bizarre to see signage for all the airways in a single place. Keep in mind, for the reason that Nineteen Seventies airways have been segregated by terminal at MCI. No extra! Giant TVs show no matter brand is required and lanes can simply be exchanged between airways.
For as stunning, open, and ethereal because the constructing was, it’s virtually as if the designers needed to remind MCI vacationers of the outdated expertise. Keep in mind all these years spent standing in cramped and serpentine check-in traces which might continuously spill into strolling areas? You would possibly be capable to do it once more, solely now ready for safety. Throughout our simulation day the TSA line appeared strained, and sluggish. Precheck wasn’t but “a factor” and just one line was open. Pre-opening jitters? Will this be a brand new nuisance? We’ll discover out tomorrow. Make sure to observe alongside on AirlineReporter’s Mastodon account as this creator now not performs on Twitter.
The loos, they’re purposeful. Huzzah!
Proper previous safety is a big all-gender restroom. The stalls have full doorways which swing out, not in. That’s a significant enchancment over MCI’s current stalls and others seen across the nation. The complete doorways with overhead indicator lights permit for optimum privateness. One bummer, on the time of our tour there have been no hanging hooks within the stalls. My AvGeek spouse tells me that’s a must have for purses.
Casual poll- What number of instances have your pants been assaulted by overzealous airport taps? Greater than as soon as? If that’s the case, that’s unacceptable. I’m happy to report the sinks in MCI’s new terminal aren’t pant wetters, what a reduction. Whereas we’re speaking about rest room annoyances, I critically need to thank the folks behind the terminal for resisting the urge to put in low cost, germ-spreading hand blowers over good quaint towel dispensers. Some issues needn’t be modernized, and these of us get it. Bonus factors for avoiding over delicate and wasteful cleaning soap auto-dispensers. Did these guys rent usability engineers? Positive appears it. I by no means thought I’d geek out a lot over an airport restroom. However right here we’re. 2023 is bizarre.
Kansas Metropolis Attraction.
I’m informed that Kansas Metropolis is thought for 3 issues: Barbecue, sports activities, and being “town of fountains.” Properly, I don’t eat meat and don’t take care of sports activities. So, I used to be actually hoping to see the fountains idea get some play within the new terminal. Water shows are all the craze these days, so that is the place we may have actually proven off. As an alternative we acquired a “fountain of sunshine” LED show. Whereas it is undeniably stunning, I’m not shopping for it. Appears we gained’t must drive our DTW associates to abdicate the throne for greatest Midwest airport water function. Bummer.
Metropolis Market is a long-standing occurring place in downtown KC. It was very cool to see it remade in our new terminal. The KC Aviation division is proud that almost all of distributors within the new terminal are native manufacturers. That is nice as a result of, frankly, company meals sucks.
Throughout our go to we noticed a Buffalo State Pizza, Pigwich, Bo Lings, and Meat Mitch. By no means heard of them? Then you must get on out right here. Significantly, come to KC and take a look at our new terminal. Then we will meet up at Charbar, a vegetarian-friendly however nonetheless meat-forward sister restaurant to Meat Mitch.
The brand new terminal has loads of artwork. We have been significantly keen on this portray by JT Daniels discovered at one of many 39 gates.
Earlier I stated KC is thought for 3 issues. Reality be informed, it’s identified for lots of issues. Jazz is one in every of them. Hanging above a standard space between concourse wings are a couple of of what I’ll name labrophone flying machines. Hanging artwork, very cool. And a pleasant nod to KC’s jazz roots.
Inclusive.
I’ve already coated the inclusive all-gender restrooms. However I additionally need to word the kids’s play space designed in partnership with Selection to be inclusive for all kids.
Talking of inclusivity, rumor has it there’s even an air journey simulation room for these with a worry of flying. I couldn’t discover throughout my go to, however sources inform me it’s certainly there. I’ll strive once more to search out it on opening day.
AvGeek Pleasant.
Kansas Metropolis hasn’t had an elite lounge since a tiny cramped American Admiral’s Membership closed a few years in the past. That membership was nothing to get enthusiastic about as passengers needed to crawl over each other to get round. Sardines in a can! KC flyers (DL loyalists, and in any other case) are excited to lastly have a legit lounge. What number of locals do you suppose ran out and picked up a kind of fancy purple Delta Amex playing cards? We all know a couple of…
Glass jet bridges are the most effective. AvGeeks on social media of us are obsessed with this. And when Wichita and Amarillo adopted them with their very own new terminals they basked in collective reward of vacationers. And whereas the MCI won’t be the primary U.S. airport to undertake the pattern from overseas, they’re proud to be the most important airport within the U.S. to take action. Whereas it would nonetheless be pitch black tomorrow morning at 4:45 AM after we board our inaugural flight, we certain stay up for persevering with the sensory tour vs boarding by way of darkish pungent drab tunnels.
Quickly the brand new terminal will function a courtyard full with outside seating and a fountain. The seating might be on sculptures made to seem like the unique three horseshoe-shaped terminals. A really good contact. We’re very a lot trying ahead to visiting as soon as the undertaking has accomplished and the climate has warmed up.
You recognize what’s underrated? Stations that present chilly clear water. Whereas these weren’t the fountains we had hoped to search out within the new KC airport terminal, they certain have been a welcomed sight.
Fashionable baggage dealing with!
I not often test a bag. However once I do, it’s at all times a ache to select it up on the present terminals. The prevailing areas are tiny, of us crowd round them, and luggage rapidly clog the belts. We have been ecstatic to see such giant baggage declare areas. And 5 of them to-boot.
Bonus factors for the low-key promoting for our native non-profit kids’s hospital system which does unimaginable work. Day-after-day the employees of Kids’s Mercy work tirelessly to save lots of lives – they saved my son’s, for which I’ll be perpetually grateful. Glorious to see this KC-area shining star included into the brand new terminal.
Conclusion
The brand new KC airport terminal is superior. We have been so excited to have the chance to check the terminal out for a day forward of launch and may’t wait to go to once more tomorrow for the primary flight out. Lastly, a world-class airport and a primary impression worthy of our superb metropolitan space. Properly performed to all who had a hand within the undertaking.
